Women's Volleyball

Read to step down as Wheaton's women's volleyball coach

Nov 22, 2010

NORTON, Mass. - Wheaton College women's volleyball fifth-year head coach Ben Read announced his resignation from the school's coaching staff, effective at the end of the calendar year. A national search for Read's permanent replacement will begin immediately.

"I appreciate the opportunity given to me the last five years along with the many great experiences I've had at Wheaton," said Read, "but at this point of my career I feel it's time to pursue other opportunities. I wish Wheaton and the entire athletic department the best of luck and look forward to seeing how far a new coach can bring this talented group of athletes."

Read, who came to Wheaton following a successful stint at the University of Connecticut, led the Lyons to 67 wins during his five-season tenure. In 2007, Read guided Wheaton to a 22-13 record, as that team's 22 wins are tied for the fifth-highest single-season total in program history. That squad went 4-5 in the competitive New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) that fall, qualifying for the league tournament.

"We appreciate the job Ben has done in bringing stability to our women's volleyball program," said Associate Director of Athletics John Sutyak '00. "The women that Ben has coached over the past five seasons are the epitome of what a student-athlete should be. We will miss his leadership and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."

Read served as a graduate assistant coach for two seasons at UConn, where the Huskies went 32-24. Read was also an assistant with a University of New Hampshire program that won the 2002 and 2003 America East Conference Tournament titles and advanced to a pair of NCAA Tournaments. A two-year club volleyball player at UNH, he graduated in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and exercise science. Read is working toward his master's degree.